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Foods that were Prohibited for the Jews Because of their Transgression

Allah says, We forbade for the Jews every bird and animal with undivided hoof, such as the camel, ostrich, duck and goose. Allah said here,

﴿وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ﴾

(and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep...) The Jews used to forbid these types of foods saying that Isra'il, or Ya`qub, used to forbid them for himself so they too forbid them. This was mentioned by As-Suddi. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said that,

﴿إِلاَّ مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ﴾

(except what adheres to their backs) refers to the fat that clings to their backs. Allah said next,

﴿أَوِ الْحَوَايَآ﴾

(or their Hawaya) that is, the entrails, according to Abu Ja`far bin Jarir. He also said, "The meaning here is, `And from ox and sheep, We forbade their fat for the Jews, except the fat on their backs and what the entrails carry.'' `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that, Ibn `Abbas said that the, Hawaya, are the entrails. Similar was reported from Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak. Allah's statement,

﴿أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ﴾

(....or is mixed up with a bone.) means, We allowed the Jews the fat that is mixed with bones. Ibn Jurayj commented, "The fat on the rump that is mixed with the tailbone was allowed for them, and also the fat on the legs, head, eyes and what adheres to the bones.'' As-Suddi said similarly. Allah said,

﴿ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَـهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ﴾

(Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion.) meaning, We imposed this restriction on them as recompense for their rebellion and defying Our commandments. Allah said in another Ayah,

(For the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made unlawful for them certain good foods which had been lawful for them -- and for their hindering many from Allah's way) ﴿4:160﴾. Allah's statement,

﴿وِإِنَّا لَصَـدِقُونَ﴾

(And verily, We are Truthful.) means, We were justified in the penalty We gave them. Ibn Jarir commented, "We are Truthful in what We informed you of, O Muhammad; Our forbidding these foods for them, not as they claimed, that Israel merely forbade these things for himself (so they imitated him, they claimed).''